Gay Place

Photo by John Anderson

Lez be honest, summer is the very best time to get outside and play like a kid. Besides, queers love gettin' dirty. Luckily for us, this weekend is ripe with pre-planned events perfect for water-balloon fights, floating, and mud flinging. If you're going all out all weekend long, pitch a tent at Krause Springs and board yer flotation devices for Tube & Lube Texas Weekend. Bonus kid-points if you rock a s'mores mustache post-float. Otherwise, channel your inner Sabrina for Sunday's witchy swim at Barton Springs. Of course, you can always dance to your own beat at Hippie Hollow – the gays' fave (clothing optional) swimming hole. So go ahead, get messy and act like a kid again – minus all the dirt eating. Unless you're into that. In which case eat your heart out. You are an adult after all.

GAYDAR

Austin Black Pride Movie Screening: Pariah ABP hosts a movie screening to acknowledge and celebrate queer black visionaries, filmmakers, directors, and actors. Their first movie is the 2011 coming-of-age Pariah. Thu., July 28, 6:30pm. George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, 1165 Angelina, 512/974-4926. Free. www.austinblackpride.com.

Hold Me Well What if Othello were set in a postapocalyptic world without men? Would the tragic ending still ring true? Playwright Eva Suter gives her take here. Directed by Shrewd Productions company member Rudy Ramirez, this company puts the focus on women and LGBTQ voices. Give it a listen. Through Aug. 7, Fri.-Sat. 8pm, Sun. 5pm. The Off Shoot, 2211 Hidalgo, 512/476-7833. $13-25. www.shrewdproductions.com.

Tube & Lube Texas 2016! Caution: This LGBTQ tubing and camping weekend is slippery when wet – and we expect you to get wet. July 29-31. Krause Springs, 404 Krause Spring Rd., Spicewood, 830/693-4181. $14 per night. tubeandlubetexas-dnik.rhcloud.com.

Die Felicia presents Dracula Relax y'all, those silly broads at Die Felicia just want to suck your blood. Or is that Dracula – we can never remember. Catch all three at this week's screening of Bela Lugosi's Dracula, with DJ Addams, and special guests Miss Taint and Dandy Velour. 18 and up are always welcome. Fri., July 29, 10pm. Badlands, 1203 Chicon, 512/999-1917. $5.

Annual Open Studio & Sale Local artist Court Lurie is hosting an art show and dropping prices low. Snack, mingle, and rest yer eyes on her latest and greatest pieces. July 30-31. Artpost, 4704 E. Cesar Chavez. Free.

Toros y Tapas 2016 Do good, feel good, drink good. The Octopus Project hosts a night of dining and drinking to help raise ca$h for AIDS Services of Austin's Paul Kirby Emergency Fund. Sat., July 30, 8-11pm. Private home, see Facebook for address. $20-50-100 suggested donation. www.fb.com/events/1559903597638060, www.octopusclub.org.

#TakeOverSaturdays: Dope Chicks They're baaaccckkk – that's right, LGBT Night takeovers return with a ridic lineup featuring Mama Duke, Kel, Nubia Emmon, and more for a night that's sure to pop off! This party is for Austin's QPOC communities and allies. Sat., July 30, 9pm. Spinner's Live, 14106 N. I-35, www.fb.com/teamtakeoverysb.

Burger Brunch Get a mouthful of meat while DJ Dylan Reece drops some beats. Austin PrEP Access Project will be about talking PrEP. Plus $1 mimosas, $5 Bloody Mary bar, and $6 O Gurl! Margaritas. Sun., July 31, 11am-3pm. El Sapo Botanas y Burgers, 1900 Manor Rd., 512/366-5154. www.elsapoatx.com.

VERGE Summer Art Show Catch Gender Portraits' artist Drew Riley (and many more) at this weekend's VERGE Art Show. Admission is pay-what-you-can, with complimentary refreshments to complement yer art viewing. Sun., July 31, 2-6pm. Aveda Institute Austin, 6001 Middle Fiskville Rd. #200. Donations welcome. www.fb.com/vergeartevents.

Witches' Social It's a watery social to prove that witches do float. So swim the day away with some witchy women. Sun., July 31, 6-9pm. Barton Springs Pool, 2201 Barton Springs Rd., 512/867-3080. $3. www.austinwitchescircle.com.

Sunday Sesh w/ guests Valerie Molano & Sarah Stylez Get ready for a midsummer's dance dream. Plush is back with an all-lady lineup of DJs including Sarah Stylez (aka Sarah Juana), Valerie Molano, and Minxx b2b anjlkllr. Let the beat drop. Sun., July 31, 10pm. Plush, 617 Red River, 512/478-0099.

Workout! with Erica Nix Make exercise fun again. Dance and strength training workouts inspired by Eighties and Nineties aerobics (think Richard Simmons, Jane Fonda, and a side of Big Freedia). Mondays, 6pm; Wednesdays, 6:30pm. Transform, 1909 Wheless, 512/923-5859. $15. www.transformfitnessaustin.com.

Queerdalini! Get yer queer OM on with this weekly yoga class! Designed for all queers, genders, sizes, and levels. Mondays, 7:10pm. Transform, 1909 Wheless, 512/435-9935. $15.

Drag On The Fly What do lip-syncing, karaoke, and drag have in common? It's a new Tuezday night party at CUC that invites you to come as you are until you're called backstage to wig up or strap on. Prizes offered. Everyone (genders, sexuality, sizes) welcome. Tue., Aug. 2, 8-11pm. Cheer Up Charlies, 900 Red River, 512/431-2133. Free ($10, ages 18-20). www.fb.com/drag-on-the-fly-1003603779736583.

Them//They Wednesdays Look out, queers! There's a new weekly dance party in town lookin' to make you sweat. Brought to you by DJ GirlFriend. Wednesdays. Volstead Lounge, 1500 E. Sixth. Free. www.girlfriendatx.co.

W I T C H W a V E It must be the season of the witch cuz these ladies are throwin' socials all about town this week, including their monthly gothy/queer/witch dance party complete with tarot readings and spell castings. Wed., Aug. 3, 10pm. Elysium, 705 Red River, 512/478-8385. www.austinwitchescircle.com.

Plezzure Island Mermaid Happy Hour The mermaids from Plezzure Island are swimming in for fruity cocktails and tart ladies happy hour. Thu., Aug. 4, 7-9pm. Highland Lounge, 404 Colorado.